Entry requirements

There are formal entry requirements and it is expected that students will have successfully completed the AAT Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Accounting or have some other recognised higher level qualification including a strong element of finance and accounting.

You will need GCSE or equivalent in Maths and English or the willingness to work towards them.

International students:

To be able to study on this course you will need to have reached a certain standard of speaking English -please refer to the Course Specification for the IELTS requirement for your individual course.

Who is it for?

The programme is aimed at people who would normally be working in an accounting environment. If you choose to further your studies with one of the leading chartered professional bodies, such as ACCA, CIPFA or CIMA, your AAT qualification will give you generous exemptions. This level is approximately equivalent to the first year of an honours degree and teaches skills most relevant to finance team leader roles. The final level deals with finance team leader skills including financial statements for limited companies, complex management accounting tasks, management skills and specialist learning areas. When you have completed the course you will be able to: Upon completion, you will automatically become an AAT affiliate member and with relevant work experience will qualify for AAT full membership. You will be able to undertake duties at a management level in financial or management accounting; roles such as Accounts Supervisor, Finance Manager, Indirect Tax Manager, Commercial Analyst, Cost Accountant, Senior Bookkeeper, Tax Supervisor.

What does the course involve?

You will need to attend College one day a week over the academic year. To pass the qualification, you will need to complete 6 external exams, including 1 synoptic assessment. There are 4 mandatory units and 2 optional units covered as follows: Mandatory Units - Financial Statements of Limited Companies (exam); Management Accounting Budgeting (exam); Management Accounting Decision and Control (exam); Accounting Systems and Controls (Synoptic Assessment). Optional Units - Personal Taxation (exam); Business Taxation (exam). All exams will be computer based and will be spread out throughout the year. Single units are also available allowing you the flexibility to study level 4 over a longer period.
The synoptic assessment covers all of the mandatory units.

How is the course assessed?

All assessments in the qualification will be computer based assessments (CBAs). CBAs are an up to date method of assessment that directly reflect the practical tasks that you currently perform or will be performing in the workplace. CBAs offer you greater flexibility as you can take these assessments as and when you are ready and with the agreement of your tutor. As there is a written element within each exam the results are released six weeks later following the exam.

Additional costs

Please refer to the college website for up to date tuition fees. An indication of course costs for you to consider are: Tuition Fees (including exam fees on your first attempt); AAT Registration Fees (paid by you after the course starts if you are 19 or older) £92 renewal fee; Re-sit Exam Fees £45; Books (paid by you if you are 19 or older) approx. £144; Materials fee £20. All course costs are waived for students aged 18 years old and under. The course is eligible for a 19+ Advanced Learning Loan. For fee enquiries please contact course advice on 01743 342333.

Additional notes

There is nothing to stop you progressing on to even higher accounting qualifications such as ACCA (Associations of Chartered Certified Accountant), ACA (Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales) or CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants). In addition to attending the classes, all students will find it necessary to supplement their studies with home study. Previous convictions: Please note - When registering with AAT, you will need to declare whether you have committed any criminal convictions or had civil convictions against you. All declarations will be followed up by AAT. Serious convictions may result in you being barred from becoming an AAT registered student.

What do I do next?

Some of our courses may have entry qualifications and you may need to have an informal chat with the tutor to check it is appropriate for you - this will be clear in the Other Details area. You are able to enrol at the College in person or by phone on 01743 342333 between 9.00am-5.00pm Monday - Thursday and 9.00am-4.30pm on Friday. You can also enrol and chat to staff at our advice / enrolment events which happen throughout the year or use our Live Chat.

You will be required to pay your course fees at the time of enrolment, so please ensure that you bring an appropriate payment method with you, (as well as appropriate evidence if you are eligible to have any fees waived).